Project Opportunity

 I have already posted some of this on my blog but really wanted to show it here.

A lot of people think of op shopping as being a bit haphazard - just a matter of chance.

On the other hand I think of it as my first port of call if I need something in particular.

To illustrate this I decided to set a dinner table for four people using only items obtained from the op shops I usually frequent.

  My grand daughter was with me and we had such fun doing this.  

The damask cloth is in great condition and fits my table perfectly. (Salvos)

Two dinner sets at $5 each (settings for 4) were ideal for mixing and matching. (Wilson Street op shop).

I used odd pieces of stainless steel cutlery which can be picked up for just a few cents. (outlook recycling centre)

Glasses are a bit of an obsession and so we had some lovely retro glasses for water and wine (and cranberry juice).  Glasses cost between $1 and $3 each.

Serving plates by Portmeiron and Villeroy & Boch, a glass bud vase and pink glass candle holders all added to the look.  Linen serviettes were in a big bundle of linen which I bought from Vinnies.  Salt and Pepper shakers also from Salvos.  The little candles are led lights also from Vinnies.

A rose from our garden and Spaghetti Bolognese and Garden Salad completed the diner table.

Daylesford info, please!

Hi fellow op shop fanatics, I'm off to Daylesford this weekend and am wondering if you can tell me about any op shops in the area - or on the way there? I'll start doing some Googling but if there are any must-visit op shops, let me know!

BSL Eltham.

I'm still working at the BSL every Friday, and yes, I usually bring home something, but I just haven't got around to photographing any of them lately. Probably because they have only been one or two things like books...But today was one of those great days when I found heaps of goodies!

 Two unopened boxes of oil paints ($4 and $10)  and two artist painting knives ($3 each).   I might seem greedy buying both boxes, but I have been to a couple of oil painting workshops, and when you slap on the paint with those knives instead of brushes, one tube of paint doesn't go a long way!

 Two pairs of shoes; on the left, Rivers brand ($2) and the green ones are Nike ($5)  How lucky to find brand names in my size - they are so comfortable.

 Hand worked tablecloths - above:  Leaves and hand crocheted edge.

Below: Roses, with a hemmed edge.  So beautifully done I thought it was machine done at first glance, but no, it is hand sewn.

I bought more goodies, but haven't photographed them yet, so I'll be back tomorrow with the rest of my stash :-)

One--Dollar Wonderland!

This morning we popped out to Salvo's Williamstown, where I found a (among other things) this cute retro teatowel for $3.99.

 Then on the spur of the moment we decided to head over to the Laverton Lighthouse. Hadn't been there in a while, and got a bit lost - but it was worth it! All clothes $1!
A denim jacket, this interesting skirt, a grey wool Fletcher Jones jacket, and a slightly strange grey rollneck jumper.

I also found some pillowcases and an embroidered quilt cover which are perfect for a couple of projects I am working on. Oh and these darling vintage spools, which cost me less than 50c!

There is a tiny Missionpoint on Somerville Road which is only open a few days a week. They get a lot of dumping at the front of the shop. Last Tuesday on my way to work I saw a red suitcase had been dumped with some other stuff. I wasn't going to be able to get there until Thursday, so philosphically I thought if it was still there it was meant to be mine! Indeed it was, in fact it was still in front of the shop under a lot of other stuff. It hadn't been priced so I offered them $4. It's pretty battered and one of the catches is broken, but for that price I'm stoked. I have a big crush on retro and vintage luggage at the moment.

Last but not least I got to Savers on Friday and got this little beauty for $7.99!

This is sewing machine #4 for me! At least it doesn't take up much room :-)

By the way, Savers Footscray is having a 50% off Clothing Sale on Monday 12th. I'll have to get out of bed early tomorrow....

$50

Today I called in at Vinnies Tyabb Rd Mornington and found that everything in store was half price.
Yes everything!!!

Anyway this is what I bought for less than $50.00.

Two small canvases and a small display easel, a beautiful glass bowl, some christmas balls that open up so you can pop a surprise inside.  A red and white tee shirt and a black flouncy skirt, A book about making dolls house dolls and their clothes, a wipe clean table cloth for outdoor meals, some melamine for that table - I love melamine and although I bought two sandwich trays, two small rectangular dishes and a four compartment serving dish, I did leave some for others to buy.  There is a little sewing kit, some glittery hair decorations, some green tissue paper, a wooden planter box, a pink table cloth and napkins, some linen fabric and wedgewood and royal albert butter dishes.  Tins and boxes also found their way into the basket.

You have to agree that I did really well.

Lions Club sale

Blackburn North Lions Club will hold its next monster trash and treasure sale on Saturday, 17 November 2012.

Time: 8 am to 1 pm

Usual place: 1st Vermont Scout Hall, near the corner of Canterbury Rd and Mitcham Rd, Vermont.

This is the last sale for this year and it looks like being a big one.

Lots of bargains and something for everyone.

Hope to see you there.

Op shopping in Malta

My husband says I can find an op shop anywhere.  We were in Mdina in Malta when I came across this.

 

It was a combination opshop and fair trade store run by a local catholic organisation.  I love board games so of course could not pass up a Ravensburger game made in West Germany.

 

It is a 1980's game and is complete.    A West Germany game from an opshop in Malta.  My holiday was complete.